The Washington Wizards received great news this week due to their good fortune at the NBA Draft Lottery this past Sunday. Washington currently holds the No. 2 overall pick in next month’s NBA Draft after Sunday’s affair. The Wizards just came off their worst season in franchise history with a 15-67 record, but having scored the No. 2 pick is huge for a franchise that is firmly in a rebuild and aiming to return back to relevancy. Projected top-3 draft pick Alexandre Sarr recently made positive comments regarding Washington. How would Sarr mesh in D.C if drafted?
Projected Top NBA Pick Shows Interest in Wizards
Who is Alexandre Sarr And How Would He Fit in Washington?
Alexandre Sarr stands at 7-foot-1, 216Ibs and last played center for the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League. Sarr is accredited for his supreme lateral ability, which is essential to be a solid rim protector. In 27 games in the 2023 NBL season, Sarr averaged 9.4 points, 0.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. Additionally, due to Sarr’s thin stature, he can be positioned between the power forward and center positions. However, due to his size, could he handle the physicality against premier big men such as Nikola Jokic?
Sarr’s 7-foot-5 wingspan and ability to run the floor would do wonders for the Wizards, as the unit allowed 10,089 points in the paint last season (most in league). Additionally, the 19-year old center can put the ball on the floor to create his own shot. As a result, it will provide spacing offensively for Washington, but Sarr is mainly allotted for his defensive ability, at least until he gradually matures into the league.
The rebounding department is another major flaw for the Wizards. In 2023, Washington finished the season dead-last in rebounding (41 per game) and grabbed the lowest amount of contested rebounds (11.9 per game). Yes, Sarr only averaged just over 4 rebounds per game, but if the 19-year old can add weight to his frame, he can be an effective rebounder for Washington.
Furthermore, the Wizards will have to find a point guard that can be a playmaker for Sarr. As of now, Jordan Poole isn’t much of a playmaker and Tyus Jones is an impending free agent. The 7-foot-1 center can thrive with a point guard that can feed him the ball in ideal situations. If Washington drafts Sarr, the front office should sign a point guard that can distribute at a high level.
What did Sarr Have to Say About the 15-Win Wizards?
Potential top NBA Draft pick Alexandre Sarr likes the path the Wizards are on. He has never been to D.C. before. pic.twitter.com/SuMYCz8zeH
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) May 14, 2024
“I think the Wizards are a great organization, they are a young team and I like what they’re building,” said Sarr. At first glance, people will pinpoint the 15-win season and heavily refute that the Wizards are building towards a positive direction.
However, the Wizards are brimmed with young talent with loads of potential. Wizards forward Deni Avdija was arguably their MVP this season. The 2020 first-round pick averaged 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists while having shot 50.6% from the floor and 37.4% from beyond the arc, which are all career-highs, respectively. Wizards forward Corey Kispert improved immensely this season off the bench. Kispert averaged 13.4 points per game and had a 14-game stretch of scoring in double figures. Furthermore, 2023 first-rounder Bilal Coulibaly had a solid rookie campaign that was filled with promising flashes of potential. The 19-year old forward showed immense poise on both sides of the court, especially on the defensive end. Coulibaly displayed aggressiveness consistently while guarding premier wings such as Kevin Durant and Luka Doncic, just to name a few.
Moreover, the Wizards added 21-year old center Tristan Vukcevic and former No. 2 overall pick Marvin Bagley during the season. The youth and talent in Washington is there, but the culture needs shifting and a coach to help develop them.
The Last Word
Since the Atlanta Hawks secured the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, there’s a chance that Washington may not have the opportunity to even draft the 7-foot-1 big man. If the Wizards aren’t able to draft Sarr, then perhaps it should turn its attention to UConn center Donovan Clingan, or frenchman Zaccharie Risacher.
Whoever Washington selects, that player will be the franchise’s foundation going forward, as the rebuild continues for the Wizards.
